There is no way around it, I am a Calvinist. I try to dress it up by throwing out words like "reformed theologian," but that is code for believing in predestination. This immediately inspires polemics, or arguments against from people who would disagree and want to protect mans freedom in salvation. Often they ask "what about John 3:16." Then I quote the verse out loud, and there is usually a long pause. We are both waiting for the other to engage and state why it may or may not fly in the face of Calvinism.
There are two verbs in the verse that need dealt with methinks. First God's love for "the world." D A Carson makes the astute observation that when John speakers of the world in his gospel it's under the pretext of worldliness, or the opposite of Godlieness. There may be an argument that God's love is for all people everywhere and fly in the face of the idea that God predestines some to not believe. I would only quickly answer this by saying that St. Paul argues against this in Romans 9. One can respond saying that it is a different author different book and different genre and I would have to concede that. Even after the concession Gods's love is still not proven inclusive or exclusive by either camp on the bases of John 3:16.
The second verb to contend with is "believe." Some how my free will friends look at this verse and assume it could only mean that the belief was chosen. That is not implied by the verse, and I don't think the previous or following verses imply it either. At this point I think it's a proof text.
The entire work of Johns Gospel is set up in the prologue. Thus prologue paints a picture of a self revealing God, a god who can not be known unless he so decides to be known. This sets up a God that demands in chapter three that salvation requires one to be born again, born of water and spirit and of that spirit Jesus says "The Wind (Gk:pneuma) blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone born of the Spirit (Gk:pneuma). He talks about the work of the Holy Spirit in being born again as a work of the Spirits choosing. This same God for whom nothing can be known unless he himself allows it to be known, then he drops the words "For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that who ever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Although I would say that in conjunction with what has come so far in the book and the chapter and along side what comes later in the book this verse is in sync with reformed theology it is by no means proof. But it is certainly less a proof for mans choice in the act of having saving faith.
As far as a "so what?" From this verse, it is a good reminder for those in my tribe (Calvinists) that saving faith is a miraculous work of the Holy Spirit and it should be begged for the same way one would beg for a cure to cancer or a secession to hostilities in brutal war. The work of the "pneuma" cannot be manufactured, he is as much God as God. Beg God for revival, in your hearts into e hearts of your families and in the hearts of the nations.
Sola Deo Gloria!
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